How deep into “creative” financing do you want to go? 

This deal would be $275,000 with the owner holding 80% of the loan for 5 years.  

Just want to get ideas - areas to look into, pricepoints, demand, value growth etc.

This is a decent list, but it doesn't matter.

Quote from @Wilson Pereira De Oliveira: I didn't know about this rent control limits in Berkeley.

if the timber is merch  you should get a mill in there to bid on the timber.. hire a logger.. profit you use to knock the stumps out.your civil engineer should be giving you a preliminary cost to do infrastructure normally they will do these for free since they will be designing it all.. they would be the best bet anyone on line is simply  a WAG  

They've made it very clear that you are not allowed to use their service for calling homeowners with distressed properties.

Luckily I had lines of credit and private lenders I could tap into.

Just keep it simple with this...

But if you are driving for dollars and looking for a home for yourself, you want to use this strategy:Write a personal letter to the homeowner and explain exactly what you are looking to do and why you are sending them the letter.